simonburton

Looking to possibly take the plunge and buy one - feels quick enough (as it should with a 400bhp V8!). Anyone know of any problems, issues etc.

Thanks - Simon

davyboy

As no replies so far........

I am sure they handle and go great, but its a big 4 door saloon, but of course you may actually need that.

Its a lot of cash and from what I have seen compared to an M3 they appear to depreciate quickly (although this may not bother you)

This bit of course is IMHO but isn't really a sports car, and for that sort of money I could not see past a 911!

GaryC

That's the thing though. It does what the 911 does, for the same money, but with 4 doors/5 seats an a grumbling V8 soundtrack.

M5 is a beast. Servicing isn't cheap, but no where near 911 money. Only driven one breifly, but what a car.

davyboy

...but it aint a Porsche its a BWM.

TomM

Depends what you need froma car, if you dont need 2 seats get a 996, if you need a family car then the M5 fits the bill perfectly!

Servicing isnt cheap on M cars, but the warranty looks after most things. Tyre bills will be pricey but if you can afford the 60k to buy one then who's worried about tyre bills!

Very solid car, doesnt feel as big as it is and pulls like a cheap ***** right up through the range, I had a blast with one in my M3 and over 80 it absolutely left me for dead, and my M3 isnt slow!!!

Running costs are large, but you are getting a VERY mean car indeed, 400 horses through the back wheels - yes please!!, and theres enough technology to turn on to stop any Mansell mayhem!!

If I had kids - it would be my first choice!!

Buying new is heading into depreciation city, you will loose alot of money on a new M5, let someone else loose it and pick up a 2yr old one with 20k for about £35k, that makes alot of sense!!!

Awesome car, heres the way to tell - go and test drive one and I promise you will be reashing for your chequebook before you get out of the car!!

TomM

Forgot to say - check out www.bm5w.co.uk for loads of M5 owners and talk about all things M.

Tang

Simon,

Been thinking the same myself, although for me it will be the second hand route. Have a family to accomodate and my MYOO is just too small/uncompromising/uncomfortable, even if it is fun on the rare occasions I get to drive it as I would like.

The second hand market is ripe - I've seen '99 cars for 28k and that is through main dealers! From what I can establish running costs are marginally more expensive than a modded Scoob (services alternate between £150 and £450 approx every 12500 miles. Tyres will obviously be expensive (approx 1k for a full set and you can't swap rears to the front as they are different sizes). Insurance is again marginally more expensive than a modded Scoob, but not bank balance bustingly large.

Currently nearing the end of my company car and will hand back the Scoob, have nearly made my mind up to get an M5. Would be interested in exchanging notes, although from the above you seem to be after a new one which is way out of my league.

Good luck anyway.

cheers

Tang

davyboy

I don't doubt they are good cars....

Ducati 996

Friend of mine had one, bought it from a BM dealer, FSH and it turned out to be a nail, fortunately for him he took out an extended warranty, needed gearbox, and various other stuff, only problem he had was all M5 parts weren't stock items in the UK, so for the year I worked with him, I think he had the M5 for something like 3 months, otherwise he was in 3 series courtesy car. He took me out in it one day and it was amazing, great traction considering the size of the thing though.

merkin

Disagree with the 2 seats bit, I take my niece (8) in my 996 with
no probs whatsover, if you had 2 kids it would be a bit tricky though.

davyboy

This car also comes with a free "outside lane only pass".

Slinky

Ive driven the M5 round kenilworth (same place subaru do tarmac testing but not the same track). Well impressed, but after a hard day it did need new rear tyres! we did have the TC turned off though.

polarbearit

I quite fancy an M5, but won't residuals drop loads when the current 5 series is replaced next year?

TomM

I dont think they can loose much more on the 2nd hand market, they are already going for 26-35k 2nd hand now, and thats for a 2/3 yr old car!, that a 25-30 drop in 2/3 years, almost 10k a year!!!!

It will slow down now but the E60 5 series wont help the prices, the normal 528s and 523s will fall to silly money but the M5 like all M cars should hold fairly well.

You can still pay alot for mint M cars, and besides, your buying a 60k supercar for say £25k, bothered?? - I wouldnt be!!. Keep it for 3 years its still going to be worth good money. Just MHO

logiclee

Simon,

I think your P1 would be a little louder than the M5

TSL would also go bankrupt within a month

Lee

co55ie

Please buy one as I have run out of cars to spank now and its all getting a bit boring. I am just picturing winding my boost right up and letting you think your car is quick for a hundred yards or so, then letting rip and watching you dissappear at a very rapid rate of knots in my rear view mirror. You will be thinking s4it there goes co55ie in his weapon what a beast I want one but can I afford the rebuild's and what will the wife say if get a really loud dump valve.

krankyd

>>what will the wife say if I get a really loud dumpvalve

If by that you mean a little tit that does nothing more than spout hot air into the atmosphere, I think that your wife has already got one


[Edited by krankyd - 10/16/2002 12:15:00 AM]

[Edited by krankyd - 10/16/2002 12:17:31 AM]

co55ie

LOL
shame I am not married cool reply

simonburton

Thanks for replies everyone. Would be looking to buy a 1-2 year old example, so as TomM says, someone else will have lost the bulk of the money in the first years depreciation.

TomM

What colour are you looking at then Simon??

Silverstone is nice, but my fave colour on the M5 is Imola Red, I drive past one every morning in Datchet, Windsor and it just looks awesome!!

I might even have kids just to give myself a reason to get one!!

GCollier

Yep depreciation is the thing...

My neighbour has an absolutely mint metallic blue one, 'W' reg, one owner, 7000miles. He enquired about trade in for a new M3, and all the BMW dealer would offer for the car was £34K, OUCH.

Tang

Black is nice too, and the blue (I think it's Daytona) is good as well. Personally think it's better to blend in, that way people are clueless as to what just blatted past....

simonburton

Would probably get carbon black or avus blue. The interiors are great (especially when compared to my P1). I have seen a few with 4-6K miles on, 1 year old for around the £40k mark. Alot of car for the money. Have thought about 993 / 996 etc but looking for a biggish comfy car, with enough poke to blow most things away.

Did consider an Audi RS6, but obvioulsy they are only availble new, and I prefer BM's (sorry if that offends some people on here )

I still like the M3 though, and may even consider that!

TomM

Do it!!!!

Get the M3!!, get a Coupe with SMG and your laughing!!!

Thats my next toy after I get rid of my current M3.

Mickle

M5 is an awsome car, if I ever have to grow up and sell my P1 for a more family practical car (4 doors) I'll definately look at an M5!



www.bmwm5.com

davyboy

Now post a pic of an normal 5 series......or is that one?

TomM

Doesnt the number plate and the wheels give it away??

Mickle

scottdg

You can buy a brand spanking new M5 for under £40k. M8 just got his through a European dealership fully loaded for this money. The car is awesome and was very little hassle to import. And before you say it BMW GB are happy to service it and it will sell for same money as a similar spec/age UK car if need be.Warranty is 2yrs with same UK benefits and can be extended. So shop around. Sadly though the same doesn't yet appy to the M3 - only a 3k saving on importing these.

[Edited by scottdg - 10/16/2002 8:07:58 PM]

Tang

Scott, how much under 40k?